Almost 50 per cent of departments across Canada are using out-of-date apparatus and nearly one third feel they do not have adequate training to respond to wildfire threats, reported the Great Canadian Fire Census.
The survey, organized by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) and released on Nov. 28, identified a growing gap in equipment replacement capacity, with 46 per cent of departments in need of a new fire truck, pumper or emergency vehicle (up from 43 per cent), and more than 56 per cent of departments deferring the purchase of equipment (up from 54 per cent).
More than 20 per cent of departments are using breathing apparatus and PPE over 10 years old, 60 per cent are using pumpers more than 15 years old and just above 20 per cent are using hydraulic rescue tools, support vehicles and rescue units over 20 years old.
This lack of equipment replacement is occurring as total fire department budgets continued to rise, increasing to $6.25 billion from $5.89 billion in 2023.
The survey was completed by 614 departments, totaling 19 per cent of all departments across the country and representing catchment areas for 22.5 million Canadians or 59 per cent of the population.
There were 408 responses from volunteer departments, amounting to 15 per cent of all volunteer units across the country, 141 composite departments equaling 32 per cent, 45 career departments making up 48 per cent, and 20 metro departments totaling 87 per cent.
The census was expanded this year to include questions examining key issues surrounding wildfire response, with 32 per cent of departments answering they do not have access to adequate specialized wildfire fire fighting training.
In addition, 45 per cent of departments felt they needed additional resources for FireSmart purposes and 35 per cent of departments reported they were not able to fulfill their mutual aid agreement during the long duration wildfire season.
An increased number of calls stemming from housing development was another trend identified, with 69 per cent of departments in larger population centres (career, composite and metro) reporting an increased work load despite only 17 per cent receiving additional resources to manage the expected increase.
The number of available personnel dropped to 123,608 from 125,991, as did the number of volunteer firefighters to 87,372 from 89,595.
Vacancies remained consistent with previous years at 15,362, and there were 8927 retirements representing approximately 100,000 years of service.
Estimates of call totals increased to 2.16 million in 2024, up from 1.96 million in 2023. Medical-related events remained the largest percentage of calls at 49 per cent.
The CAFC is recommending the installation of a National Fire Administration to coordinate between Canada’s local fire departments, the government, wildfire agencies and organizations making up a civilian emergency response workforce or humanitarian workforce.
They are also calling for the reinstatement of a modified or modernized version of a Joint Emergency Preparedness Program.
To read the full report, visit the CAFC’s website.